The Guardian Travel section is calling on readers to share stories of holidays that profoundly changed their lives. In return for the best submission, the winner will receive a £200 voucher to spend with the unique accommodation provider, Coolstays.
What Makes a Holiday Transformative?
The publication is seeking personal anecdotes about trips that led to significant personal growth or new perspectives. This could include experiences like attending a wellbeing retreat, mastering a new skill such as surfing or fishing, embarking on a long-distance hike, or any journey within the UK and Europe that left a lasting impact. The core requirement is to explain what you did and why it was so special in approximately 100 words.
Prize Details and Judging
The competition will be judged by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet. His chosen winner will receive the £200 voucher for Coolstays, a company boasting a portfolio of more than 3,000 properties worldwide. The winning entry, along with other standout tips, will be published in the Guardian Travel section both in print and online.
How to Enter the Competition
Entries must be submitted via the dedicated form on the Guardian's website. While relevant photos are welcome, the judging will be based solely on the written submission. For legal reasons, entrants must be UK residents aged 18 or over. The competition closes at 10am GMT on Monday 12 January 2026.
All responses are encrypted and secure, with data used only for the purpose of the feature. Participants have the option to submit their stories anonymously if they wish.
